However, for a lot of people, including many residents at Autumn View Gardens assisted living in Ellisville, MO, hospitality is an important value and part of their life. You certainly don't have to stop inviting people to spend time with you or in your home because your space is smaller than it used to be. Regular socialization and hosting others has many positive benefits.
Check out the tips below for some ideas on how to welcome others into your smaller space.
Obviously, a smaller space calls for smaller groups. You may not be able to throw crowded parties in a small apartment, but you can still have small, intimate gatherings. Consider leaning into this new style of hospitality if you're someone who previously invited the entire neighborhood over for a backyard cookout.
Some ideas for smaller gatherings include:
If you want to host more people than your indoor space allows, consider whether you can make use of outdoor areas. If you have access to a patio or deck, you can open the doors on a nice day and let people mingle in both indoor and outdoor spaces, effectively adding to your hospitality square footage. Many of the studio, one-, and multi-bedroom apartments at Autumn View Gardens Ellisville have access to a porch, and you might also be able to invite people to visit you within the larger grounds.
You can also host people at the assisted living community without making your living space part of the attraction. For example, at Autumn View Gardens Ellisville, residents can book the private dining room if they want to host special events like birthday parties or holiday gatherings with family members. Other common areas you might utilize include the bistro or coffee bar area.
Another way to host larger events when you have a small apartment is to join forces with another person who loves to engage in hospitality. This might be as simple as opening your door along with a neighbor so people can mix and mingle in a slightly larger space. But it could also mean reaching out to organizations or venues in your area and hosting events in community spaces, churches or restaurants.
So far, the tips have been about how to host people in a smaller space or break out of that space to host larger events. But it's important to remember that hospitality isn't about how many people come into your apartment or how big it is. For many people, hosting is about making people feel wanted, welcome and comfortable in a space.
Consider how you can do that with smaller details. For example, having a really fun or special beverage choice to offer guests or a gorgeous charcuterie spread can make even a small gathering of friends more memorable. Other details you might consider include background music, small theme decorations or even ensuring the temperature is comfortable in your assisted living apartment.
When people come into your home, no matter how small it is, point out essentials such as bathrooms. Invite people to sit and indicate areas they're welcome in. A lot of hosting is about taking the initiative to ensure people know what to expect and how to engage with your space so they can begin to be comfortable in it.
Finally, consider whether you're bringing a spirit of hospitality into your space. Even the most lavish and large space can be cold and uncomfortable if the host or hostess isn't kind and gracious. So, take time to introduce guests to each other, have some ideas for starting conversations and be mindful of when people might need something to drink or to bend your ear with a story or concern.
